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International Fund for Animal Welfare’s (IFAW) Film “Removed” Selected for Eugene International Film Festival

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Yarmouth Port, MA

“Removed,” a film produced and directed by International Fund for Animal Welfare’s (IFAW www.ifaw.org) Richard Moos, will be featured at the 2012 Eugene International Film Festival which runs from October 18-21 in Eugene, Oregon.

With yearly submissions hailing from around 35 countries, the festival appeals to both filmmakers and movie audiences. The winning films are selected by a panel comprised of media arts professionals.

“Removed” documents the journey of Java, Bali and Titan - three tigers who have all had several homes over the course of their lives. Finally rescued from tough situations, they find sanctuary at Wild Animal Orphanage (WAO) in San Antonio, Texas which after hard economic times, is forced to close down and the tigers have to again be moved to a new home in North Carolina.

“I’m thrilled to have “Removed” screened in my hometown,” said producer, Richard Moos. “Eugene is known throughout the country as a place that champions wildlife and environmental concerns. I think that the people of the Emerald City are going to enjoy the film.”

There are an estimated 5,000-10,000 tigers living in captivity in the U.S., but as few as 3,000 tigers remain in the wild. In the past 21 years, U.S. incidents involving captive big cats have resulted in the deaths of 21 humans, 246 maulings, 254 escapes, 143 big cat deaths and 131 confiscations.

“The dangerous and unfortunate situations that arise with owning big cats in captivity are playing out in the back yards across America,” added Moos. “A year ago this week, the owner of a backyard collection of tigers, lions other exotic wildlife in Zanesville, Ohio, freed the animals from their cages resulting in the shooting deaths of nearly 50 animals – 38 of them big cats.”

In Oregon, IFAW supports WildCat Haven in Sherwood. Earlier this year, IFAW funded the move of two tigers from a private owner in Ohio to the accredited sanctuary. The support also included the purchase of a transport trailer and funds to help finish the building of a new enclosure for one of the big cats. WildCat Haven provides a lifetime home for more than 60 neglected, abandoned, and abused captive wild cats & hybrids.

Executive Director of WildCat Haven. “Hopefully, together we can continue to make a BIG difference in trying to resolve the exotic animal crisis here in the United States.”

Screening date and times for “Removed” are Saturday, October 20 at 11:00am at the Regal theatre and 3:00pm at Cinemark.

About IFAW (the International Fund for Animal Welfare)
Founded in 1969, IFAW saves animals in crisis around the world. With projects in more than 40 countries, IFAW rescues individual animals, works to prevent cruelty to animals, and advocates for the protection of wildlife and habitats. For more information, visit www.ifaw.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.